2 Fires Burn Near Tuscarora in Remote Locations

A 16,193 acre wildfire burning near Tuscarora is currently 85% contained.

The Red Cow Fire is ten miles northwest of Tuscarora in Elko County. Authorities say the fire was discovered around noon Saturday by a transient aircraft headed to Utah.

A BLM spokesperson says crews will continue mop-up and rehab operations today. Dozer line rehab will include disbursement of native grass seed. Smoldering and flare-ups could continue within the interior of the fire for several weeks.

The fire will remain patrolled until it is determined to be 100% contained. Resources will begin demobilization today.

Firefighters say the blaze is burning in a very remote location with limited access for vehicles and equipment. They say the fire is located in an area of intact sage grouse habitat not impacted by previous fires; it's an important area for several species including the endangered spotted frog.

The area is also an historic mining district with abandoned mine shafts posing safety hazards. One outbuilding from the inactive Falcon Mine was destroyed.

The fire remains under investigation.

More than 200 personnel are fighting this fire. The BLM says some crews from this fire are now fighting the Waterpipe Fire which sparked Wednesday 10 miles east of Tuscarora.

The 3,100-acre lightning-sparked blaze is also burning in a very remote location with limited access for vehicles and equipment. It's currently 50% contained.

Fire crews continue to make progress on fire line containment and mop-up operations. There was minimal fire activity. There were no structures lost and State Route 226 is now open to traffic. There was no growth to the fire. Resources will begin demobilization today.

Several power lines were burned through, but replaced by Nevada Energy. The fire is burning in an area of important sage grouse habitat not impacted by previous years' fires. It is also important habitat for several species of wildlife.